USA > Maryland > Cecil County > History of Cecil County, Maryland, and the early settlements around the head of Chesapeake Bay and on the Delaware River, with sketches of some of the old families of Cecil County > Part 27
Note: The text from this book was generated using artificial intelligence so there may be some errors. The full pages can be found on Archive.org (link on the Part 1 page).
Part 1 | Part 2 | Part 3 | Part 4 | Part 5 | Part 6 | Part 7 | Part 8 | Part 9 | Part 10 | Part 11 | Part 12 | Part 13 | Part 14 | Part 15 | Part 16 | Part 17 | Part 18 | Part 19 | Part 20 | Part 21 | Part 22 | Part 23 | Part 24 | Part 25 | Part 26 | Part 27 | Part 28 | Part 29 | Part 30 | Part 31 | Part 32 | Part 33 | Part 34 | Part 35 | Part 36 | Part 37 | Part 38 | Part 39 | Part 40 | Part 41 | Part 42 | Part 43 | Part 44 | Part 45
The committees that represented the counties in the first conventions, also took charge of the affairs of the colony in the respective counties, and looked after the interests of the
321
HISTORY OF CECIL COUNTY.
inchoate State, and kept an eye upon those who were in any wise opposed to their revolutionary principles. It is stated in the American Archives for 1775, that the case of Charles Gordon, an attorney, who resided in the lower part of the county, was brought before the committee on the 17th of May. Gordon was charged with treating the Continental Congress with great disrespect, and with maliciously aspers- ing it and the provincial convention and the committee of the county itself, and at divers times and in sundry ways vilifying their proceedings.
The committee, which was then in session at Elk Ferry, had sent William Savin, sheriff of the county, with a sum- mons to Gordon, to appear before the committee to answer the charges. Savin had served the summons upon him, as appears from his affidavit taken before David Smith, at that time a justice of the peace, and afterwards for a long time register of wills: but Gordon refused to attend, and sent word to the committee that if they wished to see him they could come to his place; that it was large enough to hold them, and that they had better not come inside his yard gate or there would be lives lost; all of which message, and much more was couched in strong language intermixed with profanity. Whereupon the committee resolved that he should be under the imputation of being an enemy to this country, and as such they would have no dealings or com- munications with him or suffer him to transact any business with them until he should satisfy them respecting the truth of the charges preferred against him.
The counties were represented in the first convention by committees, and each county had one vote only, and all questions were determined by a majority of counties. In the conventions subsequently called together previous to December, 1775, the members were styled deputies. John Veazey, Jr., Joseph Gilpin, John D. Thompson, Nathaniel Ramsay,and Patrick Ewing,represented the county in the con- vention of 1775. Of this number, Messrs. Veazey, Thompson,
U
322
HISTORY OF CECIL COUNTY.
and Ramsay, were signers of the Declaration of the Free- men of Maryland, a document somewhat similar in char- acter to the Declaration of Independence. It seems proper to state in this connection that Peter Lawson, William Cur- rer, and Charles Rumsey, of this county, also signed the Declaration.
In the convention that met August 14th, 1776, this county was represented by Joseph Gilpin, Patrick Ewing, David Smith, and Benjamin Brevard.
The first military organization in the county at this time of which any account has come down to us was an inde- pendent company, of which Samuel Evans was commis- sioned captain September 28th, 1776. Of this company Henry Dobson was first lieutenant, Thomas Rumsey was second lieutenant, and William Stewart was ensign. They were all commissioned on the same day. There is reason to believe that Dobson took a very active part in the organ- ization of this company. On the day he received his com- mission he seems to have been in Annapolis, for the council ordered the treasurer of the Western Shore to pay him £500 for the use of Charles Rumsey, Henry Hollingsworth, and Edward Parker, on account of the flying camp. The council the same day ordered that Parker furnish sufficient linen to supply the company with tents, and that the commissary furnish Dobson twelve camp kettles, seventy-six cartouch boxes, and also a like number of priming wires and brushes, etc., which he probably brought home with him. Henry Dobson was captain of this or another company at the time of his death, as shown by a part of the pay-roll, now in pos- session of his relatives. We learn from this scrap of paper, which only contains eight names, that Robert Allan was seargent of the company, William Phillips, corporal, Andrew Hegarty, fifer, and that John Jackson had been drummer, but was reduced to the ranks. From a list of articles belonging to Henry Dobson at the time of his death it may be inferred that the uniform of his company was very bril-
323
HISTORY OF CECIL COUNTY.
liant. A scarlet coat, gold-laced, with epaulets, and four black feathers, are mentioned as being part of his effects, as were also a testament and prayer-book.
Henry Dobson was the grandson of Richard Dobson, wlio for many years was register of North Elk Parish, and Abigail, the daughter of Henry Hollingsworth, the first of that name who settled at the Head of Elk, in 1710. The Dobson family owned and lived on the plantation bordering on the west side of Little Elk Creek, and on the road leading from Elkton to North East. Cecil County produced no braver man or better soldier than Henry Dobson. At the time he was commissioned he was not yet twenty-two years of age. He was the maternal uncle of the late Henry Dobson Miller, who was register of wills of this county for twenty-eight years. He was wounded at the battle of Brandywine and killed at the battle of Eutaw Springs, in 1781, in the twenty-sixth year of his age.
On the 6th of January, 1776, the convention balloted for officers of the militia with the following result: Bohemia Battalion-John Veazey, Jr., colonel; John D. Thompson, lieutenant-colonel ; William Rumsey, first major; Dr. Joshua Clayton, second ; Samuel Young, quarter-master. Elk Battalion-Charles Rumsey, colonel ; Henry Hollings- worth, lieutenant-colonel; Edward Parker, first major ; John Strawbridge, second; Thomas Huggins, quarter-master. Susquehanna Battalion-George Johnson, colonel; Thomas Hughs, lieutenant-colonel; John Hartshorn,* first major ; Elihu Hall, second; John Hambleton, quarter-master. There is reason to believe that these battalions were intended for home protection and defence, and existed as distinct organizations but a short time, when those of whom they were composed entered the Continental army.
At this time Colonel Henry Hollingsworth was in the prime of life, and resided in the old brick mansion in Elkton, now
* See sketch of Hartshorn and Hall families, in Chapter XXVIII.
324
HISTORY OF CECIL COUNTY.
occupied by his grandchildren, the Partridges. He was an eminently patriotic man, and judging from the letters he received and the important positions he filled, did more than any other citizen of the county for the advancement of the interest of the colonists. The Head of Elk being directly upon the route between the northern and southern colonies, he was often called upon, in discharge of his duty as com- missary, to furnish supplies for the troops when their line of march lead through that village, which then was a place of so much importance that the Legislature passed an act in the spring of 1777, authorizing the governor to purchase land and contract for the erection of a good, substantial stone or brick building to be used for the accommodation of new recruits or soldiers passing through it. The governor was also requested to solicit the aid of Congress in prosecu- ting the work. Probably for the want of means, the build- ing was not erected. Mr. Hollingsworth was as enterprising as he was patriotic ; and with a view of aiding the cause of his country, he made a proposition to the convention to manufacture gun-barrels and bayonets for the use of the troops. The convention took action upon this proposition on the 22d of May, 1776, and resolved that the sum of £500 should be advanced to him. " He was to give bond for the payment of that sum in good substantial gun barrels, well bored and ground, 2 of an inch in the bore and 3} feet in the barrel, at twenty shillings per barrel, and good substan- tial steel bayonets, at eight shillings per bayonet." These barrels were stocked by Mr. William Winters, who had a manufactory for that purpose at Chestertown. Mr. Hol- lingsworth was the first person that engaged in the manu- facture of warlike munitions in this State for the use of its soldiers.
The January before this took place, Edward Parker, who then resided near the Brick Meeting-house, had memorialized the convention in regard to the manufacture of linen and woolen goods, and had received a subsidy of £300 to enable
325
HISTORY OF CECIL COUNTY.
him to start business. He stated that he had erected a house,* provided himself with all manner of implements, and had five looms constantly employed in manufacturing.
In this connection the following letter, copied from the original, now in possession of Mr. Hollingsworth's grand- children, will be interesting. It was written only eight days after the promulgation of the Declaration of Independence, and shows the promptness with which the people of that time acted :
" IN COUNCIL OF SAFETY, "12th July, 1776.
"Sir :- We are in immediate want of about 400 bayonets of different sized sockets for the army of the Eastern Shore militia, who are to compose part of the flying camp, and have sent an order on you to Mr. Winterst for them, and we request you will supply him with that number as soon as possible. The greatest exertions are necessary upon this occasion, and we doubt not your warmest efforts to enable us to carry into execution the resolves of convention with that dispatch the exigency of the times require.
"For and on behalf of the Council, " I am sir, your obedient servant, " CHARLES CARROLL, V. P. " Col. Henry Hollingsworth."
The iron used in the construction of these munitions of war was purchased in Philadelphia.
*This house is believed to be now standing. It is on the south side of the road leading from the Brick Meeting-house to Port Deposit, and a short dis- tance west of where that road crosses the North East Creck. Mr. Parker at one time owned a fulling-mill, which was on or near the site of the grist-mill on the other side of the creek, at which no doubt the woolen cloth was finished.
+ Mr. Winters had a shop in Charlestown, and was employed by the State to stock the gun-barrels, which were probably made at the gun factory on a branch of. Little North East creek, which rises near the Brick Meeting house. The factory was in the midst of a dense forest, a short distance north of the road leading from Kirk's mill to Bay View
326
HISTORY OF CECIL COUNTY.
The correspondence between Colonel Hollingsworth and the colonial and continental authorities is interesting and instructive; and shows the difficulties under which the patriotic people of that time labored. Skillful laborers were hard to procure, and many of the bayonets made by Colonel Hollingsworth were useless, either because they were not properly tempered, or because the steel of which they were made was worthless. They were easily bent, and conse- quently were good for nothing; so the colonial authorities. censured him and threw them on his hands, which was a source of quite as much annoyance to him as the want of the weapons was to them. In addition to ordinary muskets barrels and bayonets he also manufactured a few barrels for larger pieces, which are mentioned in his corres- pondence under the name of wall pieces.
Little is known of the other officers of the battalions before-mentioned. Colonel John Veazey descended from an old Norman family, one of whom settled on Veazey Neck previous to 1670. As before stated, he represented the county in the convention of 1774-5. He was a nephew of Captain Edward Veazey, who was killed at the battle of Long Island in 1776. Charles and William Rumsey were descendants of Charles Rumsey, who lived at the head of Bohemia River in 1710. Dr. Joshua Clayton participated in the battle of Brandywine, at which time he was aid to General Washington, who had it is said, commissioned him Colonel and placed him on his staff, in order to make a good appearance when receiving the sword of General Howe, whom he expected to capture at that place. Colonel Clayton was afterwards Governor of Delaware and United State Senator from that State. George Johnson is believed. to have been aid to General Washington during the cam- paign in New Jersey in 1777-8. Elihu Hall was of the Hall family, one of whom many years before, settled near the- mouth of the Octoraro. This family for a long time, was. one of the most numerous and distinguished in the county.
327
HISTORY OF CECIL COUNTY.
The campaign of 1776 was disastrous to the Continental army, no portion of which had acted with greater bravery and distinction than the Maryland line. Washington had done what he could to retrieve the fortunes of the Con- tinental cause at Princeton and Trenton, and in the Spring of 1777, his army occupied northern New Jersey, and hav- ing been largely reinforced was so formidable that General Howe resolved to accomplish by stratagem what he had failed to do by force, namely, the capture of Philadelphia, then the capitol of the infant Republic. To this end he embarked his army on board his brother's fleet, intending to reach Philadelphia by sailing up the Delaware. But learning that this was impracticable on account of the ob- structions in that river, he abandoned his original plan and entered the Chesapeake Bay.
On the way up the Chesapeake, the British fleet, consisting of three hundred sail of men-of-war, stopped at the mouth of the Patapsco river and threatened to destroy Baltimore.
It is stated in the Maryland Gazette, a newspaper pub- lished in Baltimore, that the British fleet left Bodkin Point, at the mouth of the Patapsco, on the 24th of August, and sailed to the mouth of Elk River and came to, off Turkey Point. The writer then proceeds as follows : " It has been reported they landed some of their troops, but it proceeded from their sending a number of boats to Pursusa (Spesutia) Island, lying between Harford and Kent county, on which was a large stock of cattle and sheep, some of which they have taken off." This erroneous account of the landing of the British troops at Turkey Point was adopted by Rum- say and published in his history of the Revolutionary war, and his account has been generally followed by all subse- quent American writers. The fact is correctly stated by British historians, who say that Howe's army landed some distance above the mouth of the Elk River. From Turkey Point the British sailed on up the Elk River and landed on
328
HISTORY OF CECIL COUNTY.
Elk Neck, nearly opposite Court-house Point, at which place they were encamped on the 27th. The weather at this time was very rainy, which may have prevented them from landing sooner.
On the 27th the Bristish General issued the following proclamation :
"By His Excellency Sir William Howe, &c, &c. A decla- ration to the inhabitants of Pennsylvania, the lower counties on Delaware and the counties on the Eastern Shore of Maryland: Sir William Howe, regretting the calamities to which many of His Majesty's faithful subjects are still ex- posed by the continuance of the rebellion ; and no less desirous of protecting the innocent than determining to pursue with the rigors of war all those whom His Majesty's forces in the course of their progress may find in arms against the King, doth hereby assure the peaceable inhabi- tants of the province of Pennsylvania, the lower counties on Delaware and the counties of Maryland on the eastern shore of Chesapeake bay that in order to remove any groundless apprehensions which may have been raised of their suffer- ing by depredations of the army under his command: He hath issued the strictest orders to the troops for the preser- vation of regularity and good discipline; and has signified that the most exemplary punishment shall be inflicted upon those who shall dare to plunder their property or molest the persons of any of His Majesty's well disposed subjects.
" Security and protection are likewise extended to all per- sons, inhabitants of the province and counties aforesaid, who (not guilty of having assumed legislative or judicial au- thority) may have acted illegally in subordinate stations and conscious of their misconduct been induced to leave their dwellings: Provided such persons do forthwith return and remain peaceably in their usual places of abode. Consider- ing, moreover, that many officers and private men, now actually in arms against His Majesty, may be willing to re- linquish the part they have taken in this rebellion and return to their due allegiance. Sir William Howe doth therefore promise a free and general pardon to all such of- ficers and private men as shall voluntarily come and sur- render themselves to any detachment of his Majesty's forces
329
HISTORY OF CECIL COUNTY.
before the day on which it shall be notified, that the said indulgence shall be discontinued.
" Given under my hand at Head Quarters of the Army,the 27th of August, 1777, by His Excellency's command.
" ROBERT MCKENZIE, " Secretary."
In a letter dated at Mr. Russle's, at the head of North East, on the 27th of August, and addressed to Governor Johnson, by Benjamin Rumsey, he states that there were about one hundred men under arms, of which number about sixty-two were at North East and Charlestown. He complains of the want of arms, and speaks of two Hessian deserters, who had come to North East that morning.
The two days after the British landed were stormy, which probably prevented them from advancing sooner; but on the morning of the 27th of August, two brigades of light infantry under Howe marched by the old road, traces of which may be seen at this time, that led from Elk Ferry to the Head of Elk, leaving a large division of the heavier troops, under command of Generals Knyphausen and Agnew, at Elk Ferry, with instructions to cross the Elk River to Bohemia Manor. The British did not confine themselves to the road after crossing Little Elk Creek, but spread over the fields on each side of it, their pioneers or vanguard tearing down the fences and other obstructions to make way for the others. It was said to have been a beautiful sight to see them as they came in sight on the level slope west of the town, their scarlet coats and bright guns and bayonets gleaming in the rays of an early August sun. After reaching the Head of Elk (now Elkton) the British encamped on the plain, northwest of the town, where they remained for several days.
While the British were at Elkton they destroyed a large quantity of grain that was stored in a warchouse that stood in the hollow near where Prices hotel now stands. The warehouse was a frame building, and stood on the east side
330
HISTORY OF CECIL COUNTY.
of a canal or ditch that had been dug for the purpose of bringing vessels close to it, to facilitate the loading of grain. The British tore the weather-boarding off this warehouse and filled the ditch full of grain. The British General ap- pears to have left a part of his force here for some time, probably a small garrison, to hold the town and keep open his line of communication with the fleet in the river.
The Americans had a small body of troops at Elk Forge, which was a place of much importance at that time, and had been in operation for about sixteen years. They also had a line of posts or stations by way of Kennet Square to Philadelphia, and kept up communication by means of couriers on horseback, who changed horses at each station.
While the British held the town they were in the habit of sending out foraging parties, and the Americans at the forge had their scouts on the alert, in order to be informed of their operations. It was while doing duty as a scout that a grand- uncle of the author fell in with a squad of these British officers near the site of the bridge across Big Elk, north of the town, known as Gilpin's bridge. He was on the north side of the creek and they were on the opposite bank, near where the house now stands. The creek was skirted on each side with bushes and trees, and the old gentleman fired at them before they saw him, and to use his own words, " One of them set- tled down on his horse's neck." The old soldier did not think it safe to stay longer at that time, but returned a short time after the evacuation of Elkton by the British and found a fresh grave in the flat between the bluff and the creek. The grave is in the garden belonging to the house that stands near the south end of the bridge. The place was pointed out to the author many years ago by his uncle, to whom it had been shown by the person who fired the shot .*
* This man's name was Samuel Johnston. He served in the army un- der Washington, in New Jersey, and was in the battle of Monmouth. His brother, Thomas Johnston, was killed on board of an American privateer, near one of the British West India Islands during the war of the Revo- lution.
331
HISTORY OF CECIL COUNTY.
He had no doubt that the grave was that of the man at whom he fired. There may be those who will be disposed to think harshly of this action of an American soldier, but they should remember that the provocation of the Americans had been great and their sufferings severe; that they had borne them long and patiently when they had a reasonable right to have expected better treatment.
During the time that the British were in Elkton and vici- nity they sent a detachment of troops to Elk Forge, who committed many depredations there and destroyed much of the property that they found. Most of the stock had been removed and concealed in anticpation of the raid. The people, for a distance of twelve or fifteen miles around Elkton, in Delaware, and Pennsylvania, took pains to con- ceal their horses and cattle by driving them to secluded places in the woods. Many of them had taken the more valuable portions of their portable property and fled to places of safety, where they remained until the danger was past. It was at the time of the raid upon Elk Forge that they took James Ramage prisoner and carried him to Phila- delphia, where they detained him on board a prison ship for some months. His wife went with him, and probably owing to her solicitations and exertions, he was released. This man Ramage was the maternal grandfather of Mrs. Agatha Scott, the wife of David Scott, Esq., of the fourth district. He was a Scotchman and had not been long in America.
At this time there lived somewhere in the vicinity of Chestnut Hill a gentleman and his wife, who had the honor of lodging Gen. Washington. This man's name was Seth James. He lived to be quite old and taught school in the latter part of his life. The general was accompanied by his servant and asked the favor of lodging with them. The old lady fixed up the best feather bed she had in the best style. The servant, however, was of the opinion that something
332
HISTORY OF CECIL COUNTY.
might be concealed in the bed and he subjected it to a min- ute inspection, after which he rearranged it and the General then retired. They arose early the next morning and de- parted.
That part of the British army, under Gen. Knyphausen and Agnew, probably crossed the Elk River shortly after the departure of the light troops under Gen. Howe, for they were encamped near Court-house Point on the 31st of August. This division was composed of Hessians and Scotch High- landers. They appear to have spread over the greater part of Sodom,* and were encamped for a short time near St. Augustine Church, the windows of which they destroyed.
One of the British generals is said to have occupied the house on the Wirt farm, near St. Augustine Church, and some one drew a picture of soldiers drawn up in military order, on one of the wooden partitions of that house. This picture is said by those who saw it to have been executed in a beautiful and artistie manner. The house is now standing, but the picture has been obliterated by the partition being white-washed.
There is a tradition that nineteen of the Hessians deserted, but were captured and shot at Welsh Point, and buried there in one common grave. Some indications of a grave of that kind are to be seen at the Point at this time. The depression in the earth that is said to be their grave is called " The Hessian's Hole."
A detachment of the British army also crossed the Elk River, and landed at Welsh Point. It is probable that it was this detachment that afterwards joined that part of the army that was commanded by General Howe, at Grays Hill. For it is not probable, as stated by several writers of
* Sodom was bounded by Back Creek on the north, and ineluded all the country between that creek and the road leading from Court-house Point to Cayotts Corner, and the road leading from the latter place vio St. Augustine to Back Creek Mills.
333.
HISTORY OF CECIL COUNTY.
that period, that the division under Knyphausen and Agnew, that is known to have been at St. Augustine church, and to have been encamped near the Summit Bridge, on the Chesapeake and Delaware canal, took a retro- grade course and came back to Grays Hill.
It is generally believed that the British burned the court- house on Court-house Point, when they were there this year, but such was not the case. Nor is there any reason to believe that they injured it in the least. At the August term of court, 1776, one Joseph Watson (hatter), was pre- sented by the grand jury for " entering the court-house of Cecil County with force and arms, on Tuesday, the twenty- third of July last, and then and there with force and arms, breaking and pulling down the window-sashes, glass, and window-shutters of said court-house." The records of the court show that some time after the British were at Court- house Point, the damages referred to in this presentment were repaired. The presentment was found among the court papers of that year, but the records of the county contain no reference to the trial.
Need help finding more records? Try our genealogical records directory which has more than 1 million sources to help you more easily locate the available records.